Joe Royle leaves Everton

It appears that Joe Royle has left Everton, presumably as a result of changes to the backroom staff following the appointment of new manager Sam Allardyce.

After his own all-too brief but successful reign as Everton manager, Royle left in 1997 but re-joined the club to help develop young players in July 2014. He was heavily involved in overseeing the loan program, with almost a dozen players going out on loan this season.

His role at Goodison included helping young players from Everton's Academy and Under-23 set-up progress to the first team, and assist with scouting and recruitment.

For Big Joe to slip out of Everton so quietly, almost back-door like, seems, and is very disrespectful to one of Everton's greatest players and characters, (unless he wanted it that way, which may have been the case.

My dad used to love watching him play and he was his favourite player. I was, and am, similar age to Joe and I was amazed how someone of my age could be scoring for my beloved Everton when I was just holding down a place in my school team.

Super player and a super man.

COYB

Jay Harris 5Posted
06/12/2017 at
03:44:06

Totally endorse what you say William.

I just hope it has no negative overtones and it was Joe's decision.

Will Mabon 6Posted
06/12/2017 at
04:03:04

I hope it's all been amicable. Of course, it's linked to the new regime, and there will likely be several more, perhaps many including lesser-known backroom staff. Allardyce has always had a large team of his own.

It depends what was laid out in the discussions and contract as to how Everton will look in a month or two from now. I know many here have advocated a mass clear out, no sentiment, no jobs for the boys, a hard-nosed, business-like attitude to aiming for success. Well, the first attempt at that ended rather badly.

I feel an opportunity was missed following the arrival of Moshiri; a chance to realistically start to build the team and club in the spirit of Everton, for there is something different about this club I believe, and losing this soul now may see it gone forever.

Truth is, it's already a money game above all else, and the table and success reflects that. Our position will ultimately be defined by cold figures, almost calculable, save for the odd reverse, once we play to expected form.

What a shame we didn't set out to do things differently with this in mind; to build gradually and carefully on what was a good basis post-Martinez. To keep the best players wherever possible and grow and develop something a little different, using as far as we could, the excellent youth players we are consistently producing.

In the absence of the ludicrous finance available to Man City and others, but with the size and power to almost assure our place in the Premier League, we had our chance to grow nicely and with stability, whilst remaining "Everton". Recent events have really rocked the boat  where it will end, who knows? Surely, ultimately, our identity is all we have.

Now we're into the manager merry-go-round, like so many others, having appointed not to improve but to save. I fear we've taken our place at the table with the other lesser teams, with their constant changes in search of improvement, that somehow rarely generate lasting improvement but simply leave them as mostly predictable opposition for the Big Six.

The one thing that set us apart was stability. For years under Moyes; however, the football... we were by far the best team without money - and that meant something. That was soul, something to rescue and improve, to nurture.There were three sub-leagues in the Premier League : the Big Six, us, and then everyone else. I hope it remains that way.

Peter Fearon 7Posted
06/12/2017 at
04:14:48

Great player. Under appreciated in his day and underestimated as a manager too. Taking Everton from a team threatened with relegation to a team of FA Cup winners  without any major investment  was a remarkable achievement. His departure from Everton management was a disaster it took years to recover from.

Will Mabon 8Posted
06/12/2017 at
04:18:16

Peter, I agree. I hope this departure and others, don't have unexpected consequences.

Alan J Thompson 9Posted
06/12/2017 at
05:58:55

Seems to have been Joe's lot. Wasn't he taken on a jaunt by Johnson and Kenwright supposedly to look at different types of stadiums in Europe and while he left the room momentarily they offered the Everton manager's job to Big Phil Scholari. Rumours at the time suggested Scholari turned them down because of the way he was offered the job and that they couldn't raise even £10Mill for transfers.

As an aside, he once played for Quarry Bank at Anfield and Bob Paisley's son played in goal for the same side, lost 6-1 to De La Salle.

Dermot Byrne 10Posted
06/12/2017 at
06:19:29

Love the guy. I imagine he wants to leave quietly without a fuss. He will still be there as a fan most weeks, I reckon. Everton and Royle were good for each other and I am sure he will have a comfortable retirement.

Derek Thomas 11Posted
06/12/2017 at
06:35:41

I hope it was as amicable as these things can be. I suspect the low key manner was as much Joe's idea as the clubs... least I hope so.

Top bloke.

Stephen Brown 12Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:03:40

Hes the standard bearer for the Everton Giants!

Enjoy retirement Joe!

Peter Lee 13Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:06:02

The reason he left as manager back in 1997 was said to be down to promotion of a twin transfer deal set up in a way that the chairman, Johnson, was uncomfortable with. I understand it was two Scandinavians. Possibly J A Fjortoft was one, the other a crock. It was the structure rather than the value of the deal, I believe.

Emotionally, I've always warmed to former blues being involved but, other than Catterick and Kendall/Harvey, it has never really worked out long term. Many at the club would agree that there have been too many offered key posts without meriting them.

Mark Dunford 14Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:13:44

He may just have wanted to go quietly  some people simply prefer that. Either way, it seems an appropriate moment. A great Evertonian.

John G Davies 15Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:17:37

Joe has been a great servant to the club as player and manager. A proper Evertonian. Saying that, I agree with Peter above.

If we want to progress we have to lose the sentimental side of things. It only comes from and is instigated by one man.

Liam Reilly 16Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:20:49

Hope it was amicable but how else would he go, other than quietly?

The club is hardly likely to hold a press conference.

Laurie Hartley 17Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:29:57

Joe might have left but he will never leave. He's a lifer.

Thanks for everything Joe.

Colin Glassar 18Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:42:32

Joe was one of my favourite players when I was a kid. Like others have said, I hope he left on his own volition and wasnt pushed. Hes been a fantastic servant to the club.

John Keating 19Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:56:59

Great servant to the Club and a top guy.

Len Hawkins 20Posted
06/12/2017 at
09:09:01

All the best for the future Joe! What can never be taken away from you are the memories, both your own and the supporters.

You were part of one of the finest footballing teams in the English game which unfortunately never achieved to it's full potential. The 1969-70 team was a joy to watch the players were heroes every one of them and I was lucky to see them. Even though the "Holy Trinity" take the limelight, the whole team were special. Thanks Joe!

Jon Withey 21Posted
06/12/2017 at
09:11:17

Without sentiment, what makes the club different than any other? Food for thought.

Hope we continue to develop and promote our own along with the best from the rest of the world.

Thanks Joe.

Tony Hogan 22Posted
06/12/2017 at
09:16:48

Will (#6)

I couldn't agree more with your comments, I seriously worry about the future of Everton Football Club, we seem to be constantly going backwards.

Years of rank bad business management

Phil Walling 23Posted
06/12/2017 at
09:18:02

Everton will now become 'Cronygate' for Fat Sam's mates. Stack up on the brown envies!

Dave Abrahams 24Posted
06/12/2017 at
09:31:36

I think Joe was one of those people who was easy going and liked by nearly everyone and that can be an handicap.

Joe had everything in his locker to be a much better player than he was, a natural footballer his skill was what he was born with, good control, two footed and marvellous heading ability, he lacked a bit of devil in his game. Alan Ball used to rant and rave at him in training for not doing more.

Joe had much more natural ability than Ball and Kevin Keegan were born with but the latter two worked continuously to improve their game; Joe never did. As I said earlier, he was too easy going and possibly too nice.

However he will always, I imagine, be welcomed at Goodison Park, especially by Everton fans. Enjoy your retirement Joe, no need to tell you to take it easy, you've always done that and that is said with respect.

John Keating 27Posted
06/12/2017 at
09:43:38

Seems a shame we can't just use the thread to praise Joe for his service and ability rather than to get in unsubstansiated digs about the Club and management.

Peter Mills 28Posted
06/12/2017 at
09:59:08

My Dad was a deeply religious man, and in the early 1970s attended a weekend retreat to reflect on spiritual matters. He went with his great friend Wilf Heslop (Dad of the sadly departed Tony Heslop, of this parish). Both men were devoted Blues.

At one stage of proceedings they had listened to a talk, and were then sent off into groups to reflect and ponder upon what they had heard, then discuss their thoughts.

Dad and Wilf were in a group consisting mostly of priests and nuns, who duly held their discussion on the tricky moral matter. Wilf was silent for the half-hour the group was together, but clearly troubled and deep in concentration. His silence was respected until the end when my Dad asked him if he wanted to contribute. There was a pause, Wilf slowly lifted his head, and said “Do you think Joe Royle's back will ever get better?”

Stan Schofield 29Posted
06/12/2017 at
10:04:03

Joe Royle is a great Blue. I saw him regularly in the 60s and 70s, he was a great centre-forward. He was fantastic in the air, accurate bullet headers, but also, for a big guy, he was very nimble with his feet. His link-up play from midfield, particularly with Alan Ball, was brilliant.

A good manager for us as well. The last trophy we won was under him.

Thank you, Joe, for all you've done for this great club.

Alan McGuffog 30Posted
06/12/2017 at
10:14:30

Big Joe was a few years ahead of me at Primary school. Steve Coppell a couple of years below. I developed all of Steve's ability in the air and much of Joe's nippy dribbling skills.

Peter Mills 31Posted
06/12/2017 at
10:22:35

I remember the Under 23 match between England and West Germany at Filbert Street in, I think, 1970? It was shown on “Sportsnight with Coleman” or whatever the midweek sports programme was at the time.

England, with a forward line of Joe Royle, Brian Kidd and Dave Thomas won 3-1. If only we could have seen those 3 in blue shirts at the same time.

Ernie Baywood 32Posted
06/12/2017 at
10:23:38

I don't know if it was just the time in my life that he was there, but I don't think I've ever taken to a manager quite like I did to Joe. You believed everything he said, and you could tell the players did too. Master of the quip, and the sly dig (Spurs gave us problems with long balls, we played all the football).

When he spoke about Everton he was credible in a way no-one since has been.

But if it's the right call then it's the right call. Everyone has to be pulling in one direction and that's Sam's job. Hopefully it was all done on good terms.

I would imagine he'll always be welcome at Goodison. Proper legend.

Ernie Baywood 33Posted
06/12/2017 at
10:43:11

Club has just posted quotes from Joe, Kenwright and Moshiri.

Sounds very amicable and well dealt with.

As Joe said, he'll still be around.

Brian Williams 34Posted
06/12/2017 at
10:53:02

From Joe Royle.

“I'd like to thank everyone I've worked with at the Club, but I'd especially like to pay a personal tribute to Bill Kenwright. He is a dear friend and I will be forever grateful for having been given the chance to come back to my Club once again.

“While it just feels like the right time for me to take a break, I'll still be around the place. I've been coming to Goodison for more than 60 years and I'm not going to stop now. I've always been an Evertonian and I will always be an Evertonian.”

So it would appear there's no reason for conspiracy theories and it also seems not everyone hates Bill Kenwright!

Wonder how that fits with those that advocate ex-players being involved while seeing Kenwright as the anit-Christ? :-)

Brian Harrison 35Posted
06/12/2017 at
11:27:29

I played against Joe at an inter school game, he impressed as a youngster so it was no surprise when he burst onto the scene with Everton. I watched him all through his Everton career a top class centre forward, for the younger TofffeeWebbers he was very like Harry Kane is today. He then went on to manage us for our last trophy, and it showed the measure of the guy when he came out of the stands to have a word when we were struggling against Southampton.

He was a class act as a player and a manager and even more importantly as a man. I hope his leaving has nothing to do with Allardyce arriving and bringing along his cronies. We have had many very good centre-forwards since Joe left and, as good as Latchford and Sharp and Gray were, none were as good as Joe in my opinion.

Alan Bodell 36Posted
06/12/2017 at
11:53:35

Brian #35, every single word there is just what I could have written,you've saved me the effort.

John Hughes 37Posted
06/12/2017 at
12:14:59

As a lad growing up in Norris Green in the late sixties/ early seventies, I often used to knock on Mrs Royle's door and ask if Joe would sign a programme or a magazine for me. She was a lovely lady and always summoned Joe to the front door, no matter what he was doing. Joe obliged with a smile, most of the time!

Joe and Bally are my all-time favourite Blues, not just for the footballing abilities but as decent men too. And in Joe's case, he became an instant hero of mine simply because he was the only lad in 1968 who owned a powder blue Jag in Norris Green!

I echo all that has been said  Thanks Joe, enjoy your well-earned retirement and see you around on match days without a doubt!

Peter Roberts 38Posted
06/12/2017 at
12:22:25

Peter (#13),

It wasn't Fjortoft but Tore Andre Flo, as well as another one (Kvarme?). Either way, the board blocked the move when we desperately needed a striker and he resigned as a result.

The whole saga is chronicled in a book by Neville Southall called Everton Blues, which was a diary of the 1996-97 season.

My first Everton hero. Even has the same birthday as me! The first time I saw us win at Goodison, he got both goals. I remember when he came back, playing, I think, for Norwich. He was clean through and we all roared him towards the goal and cheered when he scored - against us!

A completely loyal and selfless Evertonian. I'd like to think he saw the changes afoot at the club and decided to stay out of change's way.

Have a good break and see you soon, Joe.

Dave Abrahams 41Posted
06/12/2017 at
13:00:07

Alan (#39), I've had mine for five years, and I've got a matching pink one!!!!

Alan McGuffog 42Posted
06/12/2017 at
13:00:12

One of the few games when the cameras were there in the 60s a turgid affair against Nottm Forest in 1968. A deep cross from the right about 10 minutes from time into the Street End. Joe rose like the proverbial at the near post and glanced in a sublime header for a one-nil win.

Alan McGuffog 43Posted
06/12/2017 at
13:06:24

Dave... are you Lady Penelope at weekends??

Dave Williams 44Posted
06/12/2017 at
13:16:40

A huge blow.The last of the Catterick era. Great bloke, great man and true statesman of the game.

How we could use a centre-forward like he was!

Ray Robinson 45Posted
06/12/2017 at
13:21:45

Alan (#42). One of my all time favourite games! Glad I'm not the only one that remembers it.

Gerald Sinstadt on ITV on the Sunday commented on how electric the atmosphere was that day  for a game that had relatively little at stake, I think. I do remember that Royle goal.

Eugene Ruane 46Posted
06/12/2017 at
14:24:18

Always enjoyed stories/films/yarns that involve a group of different people with different skills coming together to form a kind of super fighting force.

Used to love Sven Hassell's Porta who was dead good at procuring stuff for the men (he was like a serious German Bilko).

James Coburn as Britt in The Magnificent Seven was boss too, with a knife - he could take the plums off a bluebottle at 50 paces.

A mechanical genius is always handy in these groups, plus a vast brute, a dead-shot with a gun and a 'brains.'

In the film 'Everton' (nb: that exists only in my head) Joe Royle is the centre-forward and later manager known as 'the psychologist.'

Apart from his wonderful football ability, he uses a kind of smiling, intelligent sarcasm and dumb insolence to get inside the heads of referees, opposition managers players and the media.

He has a good idea what the other feller is thinking and uses that information to defeat him - “Sorry about the dream final lads - but bollocks to you. And that's with a double ‘L'.”

Well...as I say, that's in my head, but I always felt Joe had this quality and loved him (even more) for it.

By the way, other cast members:

'Lefty'  Sheedy (with a ball and his left foot can take the plums off a bluebottle...etc).

'The Flame'  Bally (losing a game of snap can send him crazy).

'Pitbull'  Peter Reid (you'll need to shoot him to keep him off you).

(Oh, and on the bench, purely for comic relief, because of how he controls the ball: 'Knee-Ass'...)

Peter Fearon 47Posted
06/12/2017 at
14:25:00

I recall Joe Royle scoring a fantastic goal against Leeds at Elland Road with a sublime diving glancing header at the near post from a difficult angle. Temporal Heroica!

Alan McGuffog 48Posted
06/12/2017 at
14:36:16

Peter yes a great goal in a two one defeat if my memory etc. He seemed to score more with subtle glancing headers than with crashing them home at the far post.

James Marshall 49Posted
06/12/2017 at
14:54:23

What does it mean to go quietly? Should Everton have arranged a parade? Maybe some marching bands, pop out some blue bunting along the Goodison Road and have a team of trumpeters all along the roof tops at the Old Lady?

Royle has been there and done it, and he's not exactly a spring chicken. Why there has to be anything sinister attached to him leaving seems weird to me.

Peter Mills 50Posted
06/12/2017 at
15:03:40

Eugene (#46), there's got to be a place for Mickey Thomas in that gang.

John G Davies 51Posted
06/12/2017 at
15:17:44

Peter,

He would be the one that does the moody ID papers.

Pete Clarke 52Posted
06/12/2017 at
15:31:47

The timing of him leaving is no coincidence. Joe is too straight to hang around people like Allardyce, so that's my view.

All the same, he is a wonderful man who dragged us back from the brink and threw an FA Cup in as well. I arrived in Norris Green a few years too late to see him play on the street but have great early memories of him as a player for us.

I would love to see him in the middle of the ex-red players as a match day TV pundit to put some decency into it.

Dick Fearon 53Posted
06/12/2017 at
15:52:39

James @ 49, your post exactly reflects my own sentiments. In my 50 plus years as a trade union shop steward etc I have seen many blokes with their health and lives ruined by the daily grind of earning a crust.

After years of supporting their chosen football team many of them with broken bodies no longer can afford the price of a ticket.

I thank Joe Royle for helping raise our spirits at a time when we needed such a boost plus his above average input. I hope he was well paid for it but that is all.

Brian Denton 54Posted
06/12/2017 at
16:08:00

Peter Mills (28) - nice story. I was a very close friend of Tony, and obviously got to know Wilf very well, before his death in (I think) 1993.

He was a very gentle man, and a gentleman, but also probably the most one-eyed Evertonian I ever met (and that includes Tony!).

Mike Gaynes 55Posted
06/12/2017 at
16:42:31

Peter (#28), that was a beauty, my friend. I'm still chuckling.

Andy Riley 56Posted
06/12/2017 at
17:29:29

Does anyone remember Joe appearing on Quiz Ball with Harry Catterick and Brian Labone? He was young, shy and I dont think he answered a single question for the Everton team.

David Price 57Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:07:25

Joe scored my first Everton goal, a penalty versus Chelsea. March 69. Lost 2-1. Blasted it right down the centre of the Street End goal. My first full season as a 7-year-old we win the league.

My Mum cut up a white bed sheet and stitched the number nine on the back of my Everton shirt. Joe was and still is my Everton hero. Great player and cast off by Bingham too soon.

Peter Gorman 58Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:09:08

Everton legend. What else is there to say.

Could add, a man of uncommon integrity but that is all part of his legend.

Tommy Carter 59Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:45:30

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the chance was missed in 1990 to replace Harvey with Royle. It's hard to argue though against the appointment of Kendall at that point.

In 1993 it should simply have happened and this would've allowed big Joe to build a side which he was not given time to do when sacked in 1997.

I hope he enjoys his well deserved retirement.

Ian Jones 60Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:48:35

We got a budgie on the day Joe Royle scored his 4 goals against Southampton. Called it Joey.

[I know... fascinating stuff! :) ]

Peter Mills 61Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:52:36

Brian (#54), I knew them both from when I was a boy, as you say two gentle gentlemen. And wonderfully biased!

We laid to rest another great Crosby Evertonian yesterday. The church organist, yet another Blue, managed to slip in gentle versions of both Z-Cars and Faith of our Fathers

Mike (#55), there is a copy of the excellent new Everton oral history “Faith of our Fathers” winging its way across the Atlantic as I type.

Eddie Dunn 62Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:59:32

This thread is what I love about TW, some marvellous contributions, especially Peter Mills and Alan McGuffog. Lovely stuff fellers.

Jason Wilkinson 63Posted
06/12/2017 at
19:03:37

After the last home game before the '95 FA Cup Final, Joe and a couple of the players came into the Winslow. During the evening, I approached Joe at the bar and asked him to do me a favour.

"What's that?" he asked. "Bring the FA Cup in on Sunday," I said.

With a smile and a chuckle he said, "Of course, no problem!"

We know the result at Wembley. On the Sunday afternoon, Joe and a couple of FA Cup minders came into the lounge. Joe walked up to the table we were sat on, placed the cup right in the middle, and said with a big grin, "I told you I would!"

We sat there gobsmacked for around 10 minutes just staring at the cup and each other in disbelief. Great times.

Joe Royle, you are truly a legend at EFC.

Dave Abrahams 64Posted
06/12/2017 at
19:07:55

Here is one for those who went to reserve games: I remember Joe playing left-half versus Bury or Derby County, not sure which. It was an evening game, Joe was still very young, but had appeared in the first team, I don't know why he was picked to play in that position, possibly to get him more involved and toughen him up.

Kevin Prytherch 65Posted
06/12/2017 at
19:27:53

Big Joe gave us our last trophy and a team that genuinely feared no-one.

Imagine a team now that had Southall, Watson, Rhino, Parkinson, Horne, Ferguson, Rideout. It truly was a team that had a hard spine. People talk about “hard man” Roy Keane at the time, he never acted on his hard-man image against that team.

Then brought back to aid the youngsters and get them on decent loans. Dowell, Williams, Connolly, Browning, Pennington, Galloway, Robinson  all on loan at the best set of clubs for years.

I hope he did leave amicably, and I like the quote that he'll always have a role if he wants to come back.

Dave Abrahams 66Posted
06/12/2017 at
19:48:30

Peter Mills (#61)

''And wonderfully biased'', great line and don't we all know / knew marvellous characters both Blue and Red who would choke rather than say a good word about the rival team, you would never ever expect them to be different, and you never took offence but would just laugh along with them.

Your friend who wondered if Joe Royle's back would ever get better never prayed hard enough for that to happen!!!!

Terry White 67Posted
06/12/2017 at
20:00:41

Peter (#28), your story rings so very true. As we know, our Dads would attend a retreat on a Saturday and the first thing they would do when they got out late in the afternoon was to check the score.

I remember my Dad telling me of one such occasion being the '68 Cup semi-final and turning on the radio to hear "leads by one goal to nil through a penalty taken by Johnny Morrissey".

Our Dads were very reasonable supporters, your Dad more than mine as we know, but they were, as you pointed out, very biaised!

Joe McMahon 68Posted
06/12/2017 at
20:30:11

A Gentleman, and wonderful player. I go to Oldham Royal Hospital with work most weeks and you can see Boundary Park from the hospital. Joe gave Oldham Athletic their best years as manager also.

In a way, I was hoping it would have been Duncan leaving instead, but yes, Joe's getting on in years and maybe it's time to take a back seat.

John Pierce 69Posted
06/12/2017 at
21:04:39

I think Joe's on record saying leaving was cordial. But as always with Joe, he finds a way to make a point.

Hugely aligned with Unsworth, not sure he could carry on with a new broom about the place. Choosing to move on leaves him in control, not levered out.

My opinion is: his leaving underlines his distaste for the new manager and the marginalisation of Kenwright at the top.

In all the games I've been to, the Semifinal v Tottenham topped even the final. We destroyed them, stuck two fingers up at the media, and their ‘Klinsmann love-in' at the same time.

Top guy, number one in my heart.

Will Mabon 70Posted
06/12/2017 at
21:11:09

John, that's still one of my favourite games  a fantastic performance and an atmosphere to match.

Christy Ring 71Posted
06/12/2017 at
21:13:30

A blue legend, on and off the field, superb in the air, a great touch, probably a gentle giant. He did a superb job for us and Oldham, loved the Dogs of War with Joe Parkinson.

Hope he has a happy and healthy retirement.

Dave Abrahams 72Posted
06/12/2017 at
21:21:03

John (69), regarding your third paragraph you don't read tea leaves as a hobby do you? Come on, John!!!!!

Andrew Presly 73Posted
06/12/2017 at
21:23:19

Thank you, Joe.

John Pierce 74Posted
06/12/2017 at
21:26:37

Dave, yeah I know! Maybe I should stop reading the leaves with those bags around them. A lot harder!

Tony Dove 75Posted
06/12/2017 at
22:01:48

I hope everyone realises that this is just another consequence of the new hateful regime?

Joe had a fairly low-profile but important role which I have no doubt he chose to give up on his own terms. We have another 18 months of stuff like this and, whilst Kenwright tried to sell the soul of the club by moving us to Kirkby, Moshiri has now succeeded with the appointment of Allardyce and crew.

Allardyce, Lee, Shakespeare and Walsh. My father would turn in his grave. I will continue to go to the match out of love and respect for him but there is a horrible empty feeling now.

John Keating 76Posted
06/12/2017 at
22:17:13

I mentioned earlier in the thread it was a pity we just couldn't concentrate in showing Joe the esteem he is held in rather than unsubstantiated shit about the Club. Seems people just cannot help themselves.

Andy Crooks 77Posted
06/12/2017 at
22:19:18

Alan (#42), that was my first ever game, if I recall. Did Terry Hennesy play that day? Also, it was the first time I was ever in Liverpool. My dad and I stayed in Blackpool for a couple days. It was the most exciting time of my life. Joe Royle (I pronounced it Joe Royal) was my hero.

Happy retirement, Joe.

Len Hawkins 78Posted
06/12/2017 at
22:32:31

Well, Tony, if the regime is hateful, I suppose going back to not having a pot to urinate in, and Kenwright bringing back Moyes and running the club on a shoestring, just missing out on transfers and taking plastic knives to gunfights will be no problem for you?

But maybe even though your nemesis has been given the job and he has brought in people he knows will work with him, he just might get things right.

Unfortunately, my Mrs knocked my crystal ball off the sideboard last week and I am in the dark as to how things will pan out. If the team don't do the usual roll-over and let the rednecks tickle their belly on Sunday, but actually play for the new manager, will that go any way towards you giving any morsel of praise for knocking the malaise out of them? Or would a loss suit better?

I didn't want Allardyce either... but, if he turns things around, I will be chuffed to bits  not bleeding suicidal.

As for the reason why Joe Royle left, other than what he has stated, then he may put them in print one day but, until then, I'd stop with the conspiracy theories.

Jim Burns 79Posted
06/12/2017 at
23:11:39

Peter@ 28 - lovely.

John Roberts 80Posted
07/12/2017 at
00:23:53

Joe was my hero in my first Everton team  the 1969-70s Invincibles. I used to play centre-forward for Anfield Road Primary School and we had the same initials so obviously I'd also end up playing for Everton!!

My great-uncle owned a newsagents on Townsend Lane where my grandy also worked. Joe used to come in there quite often after being at the betting shop around the corner. My grandy, despite being the most one-eyed LFC supporter ever, presented me with an autograph book that he had got Joe to christen.

I didn't get to play for Everton but only (!!!) because we headed Down Under when my age hit two digits. Incidentally, I've been told Joe has relatives in my home-town Adelaide who he has visited over the years. Have a long and happy retirement Joe  you've earned it.

David Israel 81Posted
07/12/2017 at
00:33:52

My last memory of watching Joe Royle live (as far as I can recall) as a player, was in October 1975. I was studying in London, and, on a drab Saturday afternoon, there was an Arsenal v Man City game. I went along to Highbury, mainly for the sake of watching both Joe and Alan Ball.

City won 3-2 (it was the Marsh, Bell, Hartford, Tueart team), and their first goal was a cracker from Joe, from a pass by Asa Hartford, I believe. Alan Ball also scored a great goal, as the Gunners almost made a comeback, having been 3-0 down at one stage.

At the end, Joe and Alan embraced each other as they left the pitch, and I was left wondering what might (still) have been.

All the best Joe, and thank you!

Barry Pearce 82Posted
07/12/2017 at
09:58:09

Joe Royle was in the great team when I first started watching Everton. We are roughly the same age, height, and people say I even resemble him some what. So yeah, I have always had a soft spot for Joe. Everton legend.

Enjoy your retirement, Joe.

Diane Westwell 83Posted
07/12/2017 at
18:30:33

Big Joe was and still is a legend at Everton and all over the city too. When I was a youngster Joe used to stand next to me in St Christopher's (Norris Green) Church Choir, I was about 13 then and he would have been about 9, he was a big lad and ever so polite and had a lovely singing voice.

So, good luck Joe, in whatever you may do, in the future.

Di xx.

Brian Denton 84Posted
07/12/2017 at
19:54:02

As our manager, he never lost a game to Liverpool. Unimaginable.

Paul Washington 85Posted
07/12/2017 at
20:09:25

Joe is a long standing friend of my Uncle John.

Anyway, my Uncle John gets Joe to come to St Basil's Club, Widnes, to present the medals for my dad's footy team (adults).

I was minding the house / looking after my two brothers... it must have been 1972-73 ish. About 10 o'clock there's a knock at the door and stood there... Joe Royle and me uncle John!!!

What a gent, he was great to talk to, so down to earth.

His dispute with Peter Johnson robbed us of a fine manager who, I am sure, would have done great things for us.

Whatever you do, Joe, good luck

John Smith 86Posted
08/12/2017 at
11:55:07

Thanks, Joe, for your effort.

I'm looking forward to Leighton Baines taking up some sort of role in the back room. Defensive coach or Fullback skills coach or whatever. Imagine him teaching the youngsters.

Ian Smitham 87Posted
09/12/2017 at
00:16:19

Will (#70), the final, I gatecrashed the players “do”. Met Joe and was talking with his son; I mentioned it was obvious they were related and Joe queried "Why?" I explained the similar looks.

All ended well, then I jumped on a table that Duncan was dancing on, and sang with him, till the table collapsed and we all fell off.

I can write an article about that night and get it verified if you like.

Harvey Miller 88Posted
09/12/2017 at
20:14:33

As a kid I always liked those big centre-forwards and their diving headers. Joe was just like that. I could not understand why he went to Man City.

Luckily we got Bob Latchford who was great, maybe not as good with the ball but strong and fast and scored so many sweet goals.

Geoff Evans 89Posted
09/12/2017 at
22:14:11

An Everton great, thank you Joe for everything you did, a true blue.

You loved the club and we loved you.

Will Mabon 90Posted
10/12/2017 at
00:07:07

Ian - sounds like that's worth writing!

Alan J Thompson 91Posted
10/12/2017 at
10:18:06

It's of little consequence given that it is all Comprehensive now, but Joe was only the second Grammar School boy since the end of WW2 to play for Liverpool Schoolboys. I believe the first was Brian Labone, a truly worthwhile club of which to be a member.

Lee Courtliff 92Posted
11/12/2017 at
22:02:34

I met him once just before we played Nottm Forest at Goodison Park in February '97.

He was under a lot of pressure at the time yet he still found time, only about an hour before kick-off, to come and meet my parents and I.

My Mum had bought him some kind of medal thing that she said would bring him good luck!! It worked as we won 2-0.

Joe was the perfect gentleman that day. A really decent, gracious human being. That day was over 20 years ago and we still talk about it like it was yesterday.

Firing him was a massive mistake. Replacing him with the hopelessly out of touch Kendall was an even bigger one!!

Happy retirement, Joe.

Paul Birmingham 93Posted
12/12/2017 at
13:03:14

Top class True gent, old school Evertonian, on and off the pitch. Hell always be welcome at Goodison Im sure, and will enjoy his retirement and many thanks to some great memories for us.